Heading West...



 Change of Plan: Heading West to avoid Tampa


Welcome to my blog following our last-minute trip to the US!

In parallel to a few days of planning to travel to and stay in Tampa, Florida, I was tracking the development of a tropical storm in the Gulf of Mexico with the National Hurricane Centre, which had the potential to make landfall directly in Tampa Bay. The worst-case scenario evolved and the storm became the Category 5 Hurricane Milton, predicted to be the worst weather event for Tampa since 1921. It was due to make landfall at the precise hour our flight was scheduled to land! What is it with my family and extreme US weather (Ange)? 

With a potential storm surge of over 12ft, which could engulf a vast area of the city including collegues property and Downtown Tampa, location of our first Airbnb, Chris decided to 'Go West', to Temecula, California.

Leaving Wednesday morning at 7, we flew Virgin Atlantic for 7.5 hours to New York, arriving to a 2 hour queue to process our ESTA's. Eventually we were 'tolerated' by a Border and Immigration guy who was quite aggressive in his questioning and we left with the opposite impression of 'Welcome to America'! However, the onward 5 hour Delta flight was great and we experienced our first, real glimpse of US customer-orientation from 2 professional male flight attendants. Landing in a warm, dry San Diego before Wednesday midnight (Crazy!) after little sleep for 24 hours, we Uber-ed to the Residence Inn in Little Italy to grab 3 hours sleep before we hit the Waterfront.











Comments

  1. Liv13 October 2024 at 11:59

    Oooh exciting! What do you think so far, we liked Little Italy a lot! xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carrie15 October 2024 at 11:06

      Love California, Liv. I can see why you did. I just want to look at the Pacific as the colour and power of the waves is amazing. Hope all good with you xx

      Delete
  2. Ange13 October 2024 at 12:21

    You’ve been so unlucky with the weather, but it’s a good job you didn’t go out to Tampa earlier & get caught up in Milton! Hope you’re settling into life USA-style x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carrie15 October 2024 at 11:09

      California is our kind of place and I'm getting a very different vibe than when I visited the North East decades ago! Love the sky and sun, sea and fresh food, friendliness and manners and healthy lifestyle. Not what I was expecting maybe. Oceanside beach and marina are lovely x

      Delete
  3. Gap Year Gatecrash14 October 2024 at 01:00

    I told you guys to go via Dublin - you'd have been in the queue 10mins max, which would have allowed more time for a few pints of the black stuff! Anyway, you're there now... enjoy the sunshine you lucky people. Looking forward to the next installment.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carrie15 October 2024 at 11:13

      I know, Dave. we talked about it but think Chris is taking the Virgin points and easy onward flights?! Normally he would go via Atlanta, which he said was much quieter, but no flights available due to hurricane! I can see why you love the US and I'd certainly come back and explore different states. x Next instalment coming later!

      Delete
  4. Joan17 October 2024 at 04:28

    You sound as though you’re enjoying America x

    ReplyDelete

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